Wednesday, Oct. 21, 1998 | 5:36 a.m.
Six units at the prison are without heat now because a hot water pipe bringing warmth to cellblocks sprung a leak.
Bruce Nipp of the Public Works Board said crews are digging up the old underground piping and he's hoping the new pipe will arrive Monday.
He and prison spokesman Glen Whorton both said no one picked this time of year to do the work.
"We have no choice because the lines have failed and have got to be replaced," said Nipp.
Whorton said the problem was caused by the age of the heating system at the 120-year-old prison. But he said inmates won't be left to the mercy of Mother Nature.
"Hopefully, it'll be mild but if it does get cold, we do have contingency plans to provide those units with industrial strength space heaters," he said.
Nipp said the work will be done as quickly as possible to restore heat to the old prison but that it will take more than a few days. The project will require two to four weeks to install a total of 3,000 feet of supply and return lines beneath the ground.
The Legislature's Interim Finance Committee approved a total of $250,000 for the project.
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